Full Time Students. Term One was a busy start to the year. We welcomed our returning students from Thailand and China and five new full-time students; four from Japan and one from Slovakia. We are expecting four new students in Term Two and five new students in Term Three. Exciting times for SBHS and our new students.

We had seven long-term students start at the beginning of Term One. 

They are an exceptional group of young men who are diverse in interests and  have all shown a willingness to be involved in school life.

Liew from Thailand returns from last year. He had a very successful finish to 2017 and  crossed the stage at Junior Prizegiving to accept prizes.  He is Year 11  and has started the school  year very successfully,  already gaining a number of credits across several subjects. Liew is a keen Table Tennis player. He is a great role model for our new students and is always ready to help and support the new lads.

Bohan from China is now a permanent resident,  so technically not an International Student but we still consider him one of our International Whanau and monitor his progress as a Year 10 student with pride. Bohan always has a smile and will challenge anything. He loves playing Badminton and is looking forward to playing n the upcoming school competition.

We have four new Japanese students who are here for either three terms,  one year or longer. 

Kotaro is in Year 11. His passion is basketball. He starts in the U17 team this term. Kotaro hopes to graduate from SBHS  as a Year 13 student and is making a strong effort in all his classes. 

Koki is from Toho High School, our sister school in Nagoya. Koki visited us last year as a short term student. It is wonderful to have him back. Koki's passion is music. He had a fabulous Term One break , enjoying time down south with his host family. Koki is an exchange student, While he is hosted by SBHS and stays with his Kiwi family, their son is being hosted by Toho High School and staying with a Japanese family.

Yuta came to us from Ikubunkan Global High School. Yuta is the third student we have from there. Yuta is involved with Music and Drama this year. He is auditioning for the school production and we are very excited to have an international student keen to take part in this. Yuta is enjoying many outdoor activities with his host family and spent time in Nelson over the holidays with his host siblings and their Grandmother.

Atsuki is our second student from Tachibana Gakuen. Atsuki is a very positive young man and approaches everything with enthusiam. He is an excellent badminton player and is playing at both the local club with his host father and for school in Term Two and Three. Atsuki joined an organised tour around the south of the South Island over the holidays and enjoyed the glow worms in Te Anau, star-gazing in Tekapo and the beautiful scenery of Queenstown and Wanaka.

Matej (or Matthew) is with us from Slovakia. Matthew's English has gone from strength to strength. He has participated well in all his classes and interacts well with his classmates and teachers. Matthew has made the most of New Zealand's love for the outdoors and has taken part in surfing classes. He has been very active in mountain biking and running, and has been on several tramps.  It is great to see a young man making the absolute most of his time here in New Zealand.

Our International students have taken part in a Cycle Safe Programme and the school Tabloid Sports House Competition. 

They all completed the City to Surf run which raised money for Child Cancer research. This held a special place in our hearts this year as one of our kiwi students has been battling cancer.  SBHS wanted to support this cause, as a way of supporting him. We are overjoyed to hear Mario Williams has officially be declared as all clear and is in remission!

The students attended a Christchurch Educated Welcome in the City centre and have tried a hangi at school.  

Yuta and Matthew have helped in our community garden. The produce they help harvest goes to families who need support. 

During the school holidays we had outings to Adrenaline Forest and Arthurs Pass. 

It is really encouraging to see the boys getting out and about by themselves and being independant. Liew and Atsuki went to Holi festival. Koki has found the second-hand record shop. Yuta is doing lots of walks and activity with his host family. Atsuki is playing communiy club badminton with his host father. Kotaro meets friends to play basketbal on the weekend and rides at Bottlelake Forest with his host family.  Matthew is taking part in some multisports events as part of team.

We feel very lucky to have this group of students at Shirley Boys' and look forward to seeing their progress this year.